Navigating Air Travel: A Guide to Special Assistance at Airports

Air travel can be an exhilarating experience, opening up a world of possibilities and adventures. However, for individuals with disabilities or reduced mobility, navigating airports and managing the various aspects of air travel can present unique challenges. Fortunately, airports across the globe offer special assistance services to ensure that all passengers, regardless of their abilities, can travel safely and comfortably. In this guide, we'll explore how to access special assistance at four major airports in the United Kingdom: Edinburgh, Newcastle, Manchester, and London, as these are the main ones we have had experience of. It is worth remembering that, even if you don't usually rely on a wheelchair or other mobility aid, airports are extremely large places and your journey may involve a lot of walking distances within the airport, as well as requiring you to stand in queues for a significant length of time (sometimes more than an hour at a time). If you don't think you can manage this, you might want to request assistance.

Edinburgh Airport (EDI):

Edinburgh Airport is committed to providing accessible facilities and services for passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility. Upon arrival at the airport, passengers can request special assistance through the airport's dedicated assistance provider, OmniServ. The assistance desk is located in an office just outside the main terminal building. It is probably best to go here first, before you attempt to check in, otherwise you will find yourself traversing the entire length of the airport possibly! We have also found that if you go to check in or bag drop first, you may be queuing for a very long time, and you may not be able to do this. I certainly couldn't, and have found myself in difficulty and pain numerous times when trying!! Services available at Edinburgh Airport include: - Wheelchair assistance - Assistance with check-in, security, and boarding - Accessible toilets and changing facilities - Reserved seating areas - Hearing loops and visual aids - Assistance with luggage and navigating the airport Passengers can request special assistance when booking their flight, or by contacting the airline or airport directly at least 48 hours before their departure. The website has comprehensive guidance on mobility assistance and help for passengers with additional needs or hidden disabilities. We have found that the assistance at Edinburgh couldn't be nicer. The staff are absolutely lovely and very accommodating, whether you want to go directly to the gate or want to visit the shops. They are also happy to leave the airport wheelchair with you and meet up again before boarding, which is really useful.

Newcastle Airport (NCL):

Newcastle Airport offers a range of special assistance services to ensure that passengers with disabilities have a seamless travel experience. Special assistance at Newcastle Airport is provided by OCS, and services include: - Wheelchair assistance - Assistance with check-in, security, and boarding - Accessible toilets and changing facilities - Reserved seating areas - Hearing loops and visual aids - Assistance with luggage and navigating the airport Passengers can request special assistance when booking their flight or by contacting the airport's assistance provider at least 48 hours before their departure. The special assistance desk is inside the airport, with a special seating area. Again, we have always found their service to be excellent.

Manchester Airport (MAN):

Manchester Airport is dedicated to providing accessible facilities and services to meet the needs of passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility. Special assistance at Manchester Airport is provided by OCS, and services include: - Wheelchair assistance - Assistance with check-in, security, and boarding - Accessible toilets and changing facilities - Reserved seating areas - Hearing loops and visual aids - Assistance with luggage and navigating the airport Passengers can request special assistance when booking their flight or by contacting the airport's assistance provider at least 48 hours before their departure. Their website again is very comprehensive, covering many assistance services including those for hidden disabilities and illnesses. We have found the services here excellent and very helpful.

London Airports:

London is served by several major airports, including Heathrow (LHR), Gatwick (LGW), Stansted (STN), Luton (LTN), and London City (LCY). Each of these airports offers special assistance services to ensure that passengers with disabilities have a comfortable and stress-free travel experience. Services available at London airports may include: - Wheelchair assistance - Assistance with check-in, security, and boarding - Accessible toilets and changing facilities - Reserved seating areas - Hearing loops and visual aids - Assistance with luggage and navigating the airport Passengers traveling through London airports can request special assistance when booking their flight or by contacting the airport or their airline directly. The worst experiences we have had with special assistance were at Heathrow, although it was quite a while ago and I think things have improved with special assistance now. The large London airports are vey busy and crowded, and can feel quite disorganised and rushed, which is why we avoid them if we can. If you need to use these airports, then planning ahead would be very important. In conclusion, special assistance services at airports play a crucial role in ensuring that passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility can travel with confidence and dignity. By providing a range of accessible facilities and support services, airports in the United Kingdom and around the world are committed to making air travel inclusive and accessible for all. Travelers requiring special assistance are encouraged to contact their airline or airport well in advance of their departure to arrange the necessary support and ensure a smooth journey from start to finish. You can also see our guide to train travel in the UK here.